ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 23676, 26 November 1938, Page 21

ENTERTAINMENTS

STATE THEATRE “KIDNAPPED” “Kidnapped,” showing at the State Theatre at 2.0 and 7.45 today, the story which Robert Louis Stevenson is said to have considered his best, was produced by Darryl F. Zanuck, with a cast of 5000. Unlike several Stevenson stories, “Kidnapped” never before has appeared in either silent or sound hlms —something of a record. Every person conversant with so much as high scnoo English has thrilled to the adventure in “Kidnapped,” so the picture is destined to meet a host of familar friends. It will be these “friends” who will remember that the Story had httle or n° “feminine interest”— being chiefly the tale of the escapades of Alan Breck and David Balfour (portrayed on the screen by Warner Baxter and Freddie Bartholomew). Purists may try, therefore, to qbarrel with Hollywood s introduction! into the story of a Jean MacDonald, Highland lass who becomes enamoured, of Alan Breck. in® role is portrayed by an astonishingly vivacious and beautiful screen discovery, Arleen Whelan. It is interesting to note, then, that the motion picture people have no less a precedent than Stevenson himself, for allegedly tampering” with the facts. He admits he tampered with the historical facts in writing the book. “It is more honest to confess at once how little I am touched by the desire for accuracy. This ‘Kidnapped’ is no furniture for a scholar’s library, but a book .. . If Hollywood has taken liberties, it has only to paraphrase the author of the book from which it made its film. The stellar cast of “Kidnapped” includes C. Aubrey Smith, Reginald Owen, John Carradine, Nigel Bruce, Miles Mander, Ralph Forbes and H. B. Warner. Alfred Werker directed the film with Kenneth Macgowan associate producer. A specially-selected supporting programme includes a two-reel comedy, Terrytoon cartoon, latest Fox Australian Newsreel, overseas newsreels, etc. Plans are at Beggs or State. Telephone 645.

CIVIC THEATRE

MATINEE TODAY COMEDY AND DRAMA Joe Penner, leading comedian of radio and screen, appears in his first starring comedy, “Go Chase Yourself.” now showing at the Civic Theatre. Said to be one of the season’s fastest comedies, “Go Chase Yourself” comes to the screen with Lucille Ball heading a popular cast, including Richard Lane, June Travis, Fritz Feld and Tom Kennedy. Penner’s hilarious role is that of a bank teller who wins an elaborate trailer in a raffle, but has no car to pull it. When his wife, exasperated, forces him to sleep in the vehicle that night, it is stolen by a group of bandits, who have looted his bank, to disarm suspicion. Joe, bewildered, wakes up the next morning, with his strange companions, and from this point the action becomes fast and furious, with his futile efforts to escape, and his innocent participation in the kidnapping of a wealthy society girl under the impression that he is helping her, leading up to the side-splitting climax. “Night Spot” is the title of the second film, which features Allan Lane, Gordon Jones, Joan Woodbury and Lee Patrick. Although drama is the keynote of the entertainment, a fair amount of comedy is included. Briefly the story deals with two youthful police officers who are instrumental in bringing about the capture of a murderer.

BotH these films will be shown at the matinee this afternoon. An additional feature is the official film record of the most recent bout for the world’s heavyweight boxing title, fought at Madison Square Gardens between Joe Louis and the challenger Nathan Mann in February of this year.

MAJESTIC THEATRE

“THREE SMART GIRLS” RETURN OF DEANNA DURBIN Man proposes and woman disposes of him with swift dispatch, especially if he is a millionaire susceptible to the wiles of an international beauty who has her eyes on his bank roll. That, with amusing embroidery, is the theme of Universal’s comedy drama, “Three Smart Girls,” which began a return season at the Majestic Theatre yesterday. Three sisters, living on the Riviera with their mother, hear that their wealthy father, divorced for ten years, is paying ardent attentions to a renowned lady of diverting charm. Knowing that their mother still loves him, they rush to New York to save “daddy” from entangling himself. They use strenuous methods, employing a Count to draw the beauty into an alliance which will prevent their father from marrying her. The situations run the scale from the ridiculously funny to the uproariously laughable, according to reports. Through mistaken identity, another man is given the task of snaring the charmer away from her prey. “Thro* Smart Girls” is the picture in which Deanna Durbin made her screen debut. She has the role of the youngest sister. The other two girls .are portrayed by Nan Grey and Barbara Read. Binnie Barnes is seen as the fortune-seeking temptress and her mother is played by Alice Brady. Ray Milland, cast as the sweetheart of one of the girls, sets the snare for Binnie. Charles Winninger is the millionaire father. Mischa Auer impersonates the Count; Nella Walker is the mother and John King portrays the fiance of the second sister. Henry Koster directed “Three Smart Girls” from the screen play by Adele Comandini and Austin Parker. Deanna Durbin sings three songs in the production, the well-remembered melody, “Il Bacio,” “My Heart Is Singing” and “Someone to Care For Me.” A supporting feature is “The Return of Jimmy Valentine,” an exciting story of a daring and debonair cracksman. The principal parts in this picture are played by Roger Pryor, Charlotte Henry and Edgar Kennedy.

REGENT THEATRE

“TEST PILOT” A REMARKABLE ENTERTAINMENT. ‘ With such a popular trio as Clark Gable, Myrna Loy, and Spencer Tracy in the main roles in an aviation film that aims at characterization as well as thrills, “Test Pilot” could not be anything but good melodramatic entertainment, says The Sydney Morning Herald. The technical work in the production is excellent, and ther e are some remarkable flying sequences. Although containing the sentimentalism that generally weaves itself around a selfeffacing and loyal hero such as Spencer Tracy knows well how to depict, this Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer story of comradeship—and of the courage and during behind the development of civil aviation—offers plenty of excitement without intruding sensationalism. Outlining in broad strokes, the hectic life of a devil-may-care test pilot, it is a narrative with pathos and humour, set

in a tense, authentic atmosphere. The effects of his profession on the nerves of the aviator, and on those near and dear to him, are disclosed in a number of well-acted scenes in which hysteria sometimes asserts itself for a moment, to disappear in a laugh or joke. Myrna Loy and Spencer Tracy are especially effective in one such scene, where, as the pilot’s wife and his mechanic, the two watch the pilot in a critical situation during the aerial races. If one could not accept Mr Gable as Parnell, one must appreciate him as ace of test pilots, reckless Jim Lane. He gets thoroughly under the skin of this tough flyer. But it is fortunate that all test pilots are not as crazy, conceited, impulsive, and hard-living as Lane is. Clark Gable’s performance is so good that he just prevents Spencer Tracy from winning chief honours as Lane’s cynical and fatalistic guide, philosopher and friend. This soliloquizing “Gunner” is a typical Tracy role. The story is substantial and splendidly directed. There are times when the machine, and not the man controlling it, is the real hero of the story, whether it be the silver “Drake Bullet” with which Lane attempts the transcontinental record, the huge army bomber which he tests to its full capacity by climbing to 30,000 feet, or the plane which catches fire during the aerial carnival. The stress of flying, the complexes it creates in the minds of Lane and his wife and friend, the grip it has on the imagination of the pilot, and the fatalism it breeds, are illustrated in a series of flying scenes unparalleled on the screen.

ST. JAMES, GORE

“The Perfect Specimen,” a comedy drama starring the immensely popular Errol Flynn and Joan Biondell, will open at the St. James Theatre, Gore, today. An amusing idea actuates the story of “The Perfect Specimen.” An immensely 'wealthy grandmother, with ideas of her own about eugenics and environment, thinks that Errol, her descendant, should be brought up all his life on her estate and trained to be what the title of the film indicates. Chance (and Miss Blondell) get him off the estate and he has his own way to make in a world of which he has been completely innocent.

REGENT THEATRE, GORE

“There’s Always A Woman” is the main attraction of the double-feature programme which begins at the Regent Theatre, Gore, tonight.' Joan Blondell and Melvyn Douglas are in the leading roles. Also showing is “Tarzan’s Revenge,” featuring Glenn Morris and Eleanor Holm.